Airport Experience® News - Pre-Conference Issue 2026

DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

example, we’re looking at technologies such as LiDAR, which is a camera-based system that will allow us to have more efficient flow through the customs facility. We’re also looking at biometrics, making sure that from garage to gate, we have the most seamless experience that we can. Another thing that I’ve tasked the team with looking at is how we can enable passengers to get through the airport more efficiently from a wayfinding standpoint. WARD: Let’s turn to concessions. What’s the current status? Is everything going well? Do you have changes in the works? STEPHENS: Concessions are doing really well. We are looking forward to going back out with all of our concessions agreements [in 2026] with a new RFP. We last bid our program probably close to 10 years ago, and we extended [contracts] to sync it up with Airside D. We’re going to do the entire program over. We are really looking to innovate, giving folks more choice and

more local brands, as well as international and national brands. We also want to give them experiences. WARD: How will you approach the RFP process. Will you offer packages for bid or take another approach? STEPHENS: We realize [the benefits of] multiple packages, not only from a brand diversity standpoint, but also from a participatory standpoint. It gives joint ventures and other entrants the opportunity to jump into the concession space. WARD: Are there other developments you’d like to share? STEPHENS: We’re just excited about what the future holds - things like eVTOL coming online, and how we mix eVTOL into our footprint here within the Tampa Bay region. There are a number of things that we can do to create an air mobility hub where Tampa International is a destination, not just for air travel but for our concessions or different activities that we have. We’re always focused

Above: Concessions for the entire airport, including the new Airside D, will be rebid through an RFP expected to be released later this year.

on how to maximize integrating ourselves in this community and give them a tremendous amount of value. WARD: So you anticipate eVTOL activities at TPA? STEPHENS: Yes. I think we’re going to see it picking up significant speed here in the United States, and particularly here in Florida, just because the geography of [long and narrow borders of Florida]. Given where the major population centers are in Florida, we should be taking a leading role. We’re preparing Tampa Bay specifically to be a leader within the state when it comes to eVTOLS, being able to connect from here to Orlando, or from here down to Naples or Fort Myers and beyond, as the technology and the range of the vehicles increases.

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AX NEWS FEBRUARY 2026